This flash fiction was written in response to Sue Vincent’s Thursday photo prompt. and because my post is all about random acts of kindness, I’ve also added #1000Speak
Today’s photo: Flame. Use the image below to create a post on your own blog… poetry, prose, humour… light or dark, whatever you choose, by noon (GMT) Wednesday 15th February and link back to this post with a pingback to Sue’s blog.
Here’s my take:
A Happy Ending?
Crouched in the doorway at the end of the alley, Nancy watched them rub their hands by the flames.
Shivering, she dragged her bare feet behind a crate. Tom took out some sausages and stabbed them with a long skewer.
She crawled behind them, drawn by the smell of food.
Bill turned. ‘Want something to eat?’
Nancy nodded eyes wide, swallowing saliva.
‘What’ve you got?’ asked Sid.
The child shook her head, raising her empty palms.
‘Get lost,’ Jack shouted.
Nancy scurried back to the doorway and lit another match.
Maybe next time her story would have a happy ending…
****
The picture reminded me of the Little Match Girl, the short story of the poor girl who lit the matches she couldn’t sell to warm her hands and light up her hopes and dreams, written by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen, in 1845. Unfortunately, the match girl didn’t have a happy ending, but who knows if Nancy will be luckier…
Let’s give Nancy’s story another go.
****
A Happy Ending
Crouched in the doorway at the end of the alley, Nancy watched them rub their hands by the flames.
Shivering, she dragged her bare feet behind a crate. Tom took out some sausages and stabbed them with a long skewer.
She crawled behind them, drawn by the smell of food.
Bill turned. ‘Want something to eat?’
Nancy nodded eyes wide, swallowing saliva.
‘What’ve you got?’ asked Sid.
The child shook her head, raising her empty palms.
‘Come here,’ beckoned Jack, ‘but just one, we’re all starving.’
Nancy nodded, grabbed a sausage and disappeared into the night.
***
Although the Little Match Girl was written in the 19th century, there are still plenty of homeless children in the world, we can’t save everyone, but we can each do our little bit to make someone’s day a little brighter.
I saw this tweet a few days ago. It really made my day:
Many anonymous people are trying to make the world a better place with small acts of kindness every day. Every little bit makes a big difference, and it’s so encouraging to read good news.
Have you read any good news lately?
Rereading Jane Eyre 
That’s a lovely re-take on the Little Match Girl, Luccia. I wish more such stories in reality could have happy endings, ad I agree…it is the myriad small acts that can change someone’s world. Thank you.
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Hi Sue! I’ve been meaning to take part in your photo prompt for some time. This photo clicked and I saw the little girl. Thanks for the prompt:)
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I’m so glad you did, Luccia. It’s odd, the Little Match Girl and Andersen have come up several times in the past few days.
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This is a wonderful piece and brava to you for making it so relevant.
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Thanks, Bernadette💖 There are, and have always been, so many people doing silent, small yet wonderful acts if kindness to make our world a better place.
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Ah, Little Match Girl. Yes. That was something. Have you read Gregory Maguire’s version of that? Nice take on the prompt. (Love that tweet…) 💖
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Thanks💗 I’ll check out Gregory Maguire’s version.
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It’s very short but dark and lovely with charming illustrations by Maguire.
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Aww what a lovely post, I had never heard that story until now, well done for putting a positive spin on it. As you say, it is amazing the difference one seemingly small gesture can make. Great Post. KL ❤
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Thank you.💗 for dropping by and commenting. Glad you liked it.
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